Food truck debate cooking up in Watsonville

Big changes may be on the way for some food trucks in Watsonville. At Tuesday’s council meeting, city leaders discussed food truck rules and regulations.

Johnny Carmona has been dishing out foodfor more than20 years in Watsonville and recently he and his wife decided it was time for something new – a food truck.

“We had to go through a lot of permits, health department and go through all the proper steps just to run it in town,” said Carmona.

On a regular basis you can find Carmona’s black truck with BBQ flames around the city. But when he heard that could all change, Carmona wanted answers.

“It was financially hard for us to even buy a lunch truck. It’s like a house payment,” said Carmona.

City council member Trina Coffman-Gomez said they will work to clarify the Traveling Merchants Ordinance. Passed in 2008, it was originally designed for seasonal or temporary vendors – not permanent food trucks.

“There have been several businesses that have contacted us about the concern about the catering trucks that are continuously being parked on more of a long term basis than what the ordinance calls for,” said Coffman-Gomez.

Also a restaurant owner with a permanent storefront, Carmona said he understands both sides but says getting rid of permanent food trucks isn’t the answer.

“I get it. So if you have a lunch truck that’s parked right by a place of business that sells food. If they’re staying there, well, it needs to be regulated,” said Carmona.